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Council confirms two library trustees despite objections tied to union contract dispute
Summary
The Howard County Council confirmed the reappointments of Philip Dodge and Kelly L. Smith to the Board of Library Trustees in separate votes after Councilmember Deb Young pulled the items to highlight the board's rejection of a negotiated labor contract; votes on each reappointment were 3-1.
The Howard County Council confirmed two reappointments to the Board of Library Trustees after separate votes and debate over the board's handling of a negotiated union contract.
Councilmember Deb Young requested that the reappointments of Philip Dodge and Kelly L. Smith be pulled from the batch vote so she could highlight recent actions by the Board of Library Trustees. Young said the union had ratified a negotiated contract by a nearly unanimous vote, that library management had agreed to the contract, but that the Board of Trustees later voted against the fully negotiated agreement. Young said the union filed an unfair labor practice action against the library as a result and urged the trustees and appointees to "do the right thing" and support the negotiated contract.
Despite those objections, the council approved the reappointments in separate roll-call votes. Councilmember Deb Young said she would vote yes on the reappointments while urging the board to support staff and the negotiated agreement; Chair Liz Walsh said she opposed at least one appointment on grounds including the board's decision and referenced the board's dress-code policy. Chair Walsh stated, "But my vote is no." Roll-call votes recorded Doctor Jones, Deb Young and Dave Youngman voting yes, and Chair Liz Walsh voting no on CR 1 32 20 25; the reappointment passed. A separate roll call on CR 1 33 20 25 produced the same 3-1 outcome and that resolution also passed.
The council did not amend the appointments; the reappointments will proceed while the union's unfair labor practice claim remains pending. The transcript reports the union ratified the contract, library management agreed to the negotiated terms, and the Board of Trustees later voted against the negotiated contract, prompting the unfair labor practice filing. The council did not take further action on the labor dispute during the session.
Votes at a glance: CR 1 32 20 25 (reappointment Philip Dodge) -- passed 3-1. CR 1 33 20 25 (reappointment Kelly L. Smith) -- passed 3-1.
